Dragons' party crew still out of training

I saw a piece here (I think) suggesting St George has a "culture problem". "refusing to sign a statutory declaration" suggests it is the players, not St George, who have a problem - a "veracity problem". It was exemplified in de Belin's reported initial reaction to the Club's first question, lying that he was not present.

Ha! Yes Mick, the past week has not helped them in the 'looking smart' department!

“I’m all for not signing something until it’s been properly read over …” I fear, Lady League, most of these fellas are at a distinct disadvantage. Found in cupboards, crawling under the bed and pulling their t-shirts over their head to hide suggests they did not have the wit to graduate pre-school. :stoked: :stoked:

My frustration is simple; this is only half a story. None of us know why the players concerned have failed to sign this stat dec so we only have part of the facts. Without their reasons for not signing, this is a rubbish conjecture piece. What's sad though is this line - "there were less than five players in attendance (at training last Friday) from their last game." Not even enough for a game of touch footie. Maybe they played 4 handed 500 or euchre instead.

That's what I'm getting at Andrew, someone must be telling porkies.

Firstly the 2 nd tier competitions are in limbo and now NRL could be in limbo because of the St George guys and others and the lockdown affects their ability to play in Sydney. It's a bit of a mess or it's a mess waiting to happen . Don't think state government will be granting them any favours this time around.

What happens if they say yes, are they all quarantined and the Dragons left fielding reserve graders for 2 weeks?

I posted somewhere else, big test for Hook & his coaching ability. Assuming Hunt & Sims get through Origin ok he’ll have regular first graders available; Sims, McCullough, B Hunt, Clune, Faamausili, Burns, Williame Pereira, Ford & Ramsey Plus fringe players; Sloan, Amone, Sullivan, J Hunt, Mat & Max Feagai. Enough there to put a backline together but desperately short in the forward pack. Personally I’d be throwing the Souths game, save most of the suspensions for that game. We’re a decent chance against Manly & the GC & Canberra games are must wins. If Hook can still get us in the semi’s he’ll have nothing more to prove to me & will deserve a 3yr extension.

Signing a false Stat Dec is a serious crime, if guilty can be up to 5yrs in jail plus a $5500 fine. That’s the issue here. If there were partners or mates from outside the bubble there they need to come clean & let the cards fall where they may.

The Stat Dec should simply be stating the facts, as reported by the players. My guess is the facts are not accurate, or there are some facts in the Dec that implicate, I can’t see any other reason why anyone would be reluctant to sign.

That smell is wafting up here on the GC Phil.

Exactly Nat. In an article this week someone questioned whether there was a cultural issue at Saints, I'm starting to think there is.

You would assume that if the stat dec has been filled out with information gathered from all of the dragons statements, that the players are not signing it as they have left something else out or haven’t told the truth. I’m all for not signing something until it’s been properly read over and checked, but if they have been advised not to sign it you would think it’s because something still hasn’t come out yet.

I'd say so. In that case, the NRL must proceed with the assumption that there were others and impose a 2 week quarantine on the whole lot. It ends the manly game as any spectacle, but gets the issue over with.

If they have nothing to hide then why don't they all sign it? One report said some were willing but others had received legal advice not to sign. There is lingering smell over this which could become a stench. As a Saints supporter I'm finding the whole scenario disappointing to say the least.

If the Stat Dec is incorrect/false the players who signed can be held legally accountable. Maybe they weren't the only ones there?

An interesting twist on an important issue John

Is their refusal to “spill the beans” a low key version of a gangland shooting victim unwilling to co-operate with police? Don’t want to implicate others. If your suggestion that all clubs provide similar declarations of “the bubble” being observed, we may see a few others suspended & the game could once again be “in limbo” with Chubby Checker the sole participant. Apologies for the low level of my “humour”.

What's the problem some of the players have got with signing a stat dec. I'm over this, if you don't sign you won't play next week, who's advising the players.

It would be interesting if the NRL asked all players, coaches and staff involved in the game to sign a similar declaration.